June 2009 Archives

Lets cut straight to the chase here, two huge pieces of news from the land of lady's surfing:

1. Maya Gabriel has been nominated for a 2009 ESPY Award. Arguably the best big wave female surfer on the planet. This Brazilian beauty has braved massive waves from Alaska to Tahiti and won the 2009 Billabong XXL Women's Overall Performance Award for the third straight year. The good folks at ESPN have taken notice, and now it's up to you to vote. Click here to see the hottest charger on the planet take the stage at the 2009 ESPYs.

The 2009 ESPY Awards will air Sunday, July 19th at 9pm on ESPN, with Samuel L. Jackson as host.

2. Carissa Moore has been nominated for a 2009 Teen Choice Award, and again, we need your help to put her at the podium. She was nominated for a Teen Choice Award in the Action Sports Athlete: Female category. In order for her to win, everybody between the ages of 13 and 19 has to do their part and vote. If you're a teenager, clicker here to vote...and remember, you can vote once per day, so get in the habit of clicking back every day.

The Teen Choice Awards airs Monday, Aug. 10 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. So tell your teens and their friends....

"You only win Nationals once," said Kolohe Andino, boarding Red Bull's double decker bus, reserved for the soon-to-be-anointed NSSA Open Men's National Champ. "It's kind of embarrassing having this bus pull up at T Street where I surf every day, but it feels pretty good to celebrate."

Sporting a sharp tie and jacket combo for the occassion, Kolohe and a couple dozen of his closest friends jumped on the double decker to cruise up to the NSSA banquet in Huntington Beach. After a tough week of hottly contested heats down at the NSSA Nationals it was feeling good to kick back and enjoy the ride.

"You may have to paddle out in your heat alone," he philosophized, "but I hardly did this by myself. My family is always there, supporting me and cheering me on. And my friends, they push me and make me want to surf better all the time. I feel pretty lucky to be able to achieve something like this, and couldn't have done it without everybody around me...we're partying tonight."

Left to their own devises once the double decker rolled away from the curb, the new National champ and his entorage of surf rats and affectionate admirers spent the rest of the night cruising Orange County and celebrating a well-earned national title.

 

The Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro ran Round 2, the elimination round, yesterday, and proving that our boys stand straight up when their backs are against the wall, Jordy Smith, Adriano De Souza and Tiago Pires, who trounced Dane Reynolds, all lit their respective heats up. For the first time this year we're looking at everybody on the Red Bull squad seeded into Round 3...which is nice.

Apparently Jordy "was devastating against Ben Bourgeois." Most notably, he racked up the highest single wave score of the day, a 9.00 out of a possible 10.

"It's still pretty tough out there and it's difficult to find a spot to line up," Jordy would say "There are some pretty good waves coming through the bowl though and if you can get on them, you can open up a bit. I just got lucky with my wave ion and was able to put up a couple of scores."

Day 2 of the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro, Stop No. 4 of 10 on the 2009 ASP World Tour, has awoken to another morning of clean four-to-six foot (2 metre) waves on offer at Praia Vila, prompting event organizers to call the elimination Round 2 on starting at 8am.

"We have similar conditions to yesterday in terms of swell but the sun is shining and the conditions are projected to be a bit cleaner today," Perry Hatchett, ASP Head Judge said. "We'll be starting Round 2 at 8am and looking to complete the round by day's end."

The Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro is underway, and with one day in the books the drama's on hot and heavy. Mick Fanning continued to terrorize the world's best surfers this morning, employing his lightning-fast forehand approach to navigate the thumping beach breaks. Although slow to start, the powerful natural-footer picked up momentum throughout the heat, netting the day's highest heat total of a 16.43 out of a possible 20, including a 9.50 for a blistering assault on a roping righthander.

"I couldn't find a rhythm towards the start and Aritz (Aranburu) came out with a 5, I came out with a 6, Aritz got a 7 and we went back and forth," Fanning said. "Towards the end, I was able to find a wave that stood up across the bank and it allowed me to really open up. I got one good turn off the top to start and just tried to stay on rail throughout the rest of the wave."

Despite being absent from last season's event with an injury, Fanning remains one of the most dangerous surfers in Brazil, with back-to-back wins in 2006 and 2007. Sitting within striking distance of an ASP World Tour ratings jump, the Australian is focused on capitalizing at the Hang Loose Santa Catarina Pro.

"I've won the event the last two times I've been here so hopefully I can make it a three-peat," Fanning said. "It's still early days, but I'm feeling fit and focused and looking to put some results together over the course of these next events. I'm confident in my abilities in Brazil."

The final day of the Cold Water Classic was absolutely awesome. It was not quite as big as we thought it would be, and maybe a little inconsistent, but still the waves were super fun when they came through. By the time the spray finally settled it was 24-year-old Maroubra regular Blake Thornton that upended local favorite Royden Bryson to take victory. All contest Royden had been in splendid form, and is still kicking himself because of a wave he caught in the final that could have carried him to a win. He scored a wave with huge potential, but right on take off a seal jumped out of the water in front of him. He flinched and got pitched over the falls.
 

Lay day at the Cold Water Classic today. To date Jordy hasn't free-surfed at all, as he showed up, surfed his heat, a crazy storm hit Cape Town. The rumor was 20-30ft howling onshore's for Wednesday on the Atlantic side of the coast, but on the eastern side of the Cape they're saying it could be anywhere from 6-15 ft and perfect offshore barrels at Cork Bay Reef, for the final day. Until then munch on some photos.

Mick, Bruce, Julian, Jordy? Who's your favorite? Well, it's that time of the year again, the Surfer Poll Awards are here, and consider it your duty and responsibility as a surfer to get out and vote for your favorite surfer. Judging by deeds of the past year, it's going to be a tough decision to make. There's Jordy's rodeo flip, Julian and his sushi roll, and then of course there's Mick and Bruce who never cease to inspire. Jamie O'Brien had a hell of a year at Pipe, and Michel Bourez and Tim Boal making the tour was impressive in and of itself. On the ladies side, this year Carissa Moore was the first girl in over a decade to grace the cover of Surfer Magazine, Maya Gabeira took top honors at the XXL Awards again, Sally Fitzgibbons stepped her tour game up, and Sofia, well, she's simply one of the best ambassadors our sport has. We don't want to sway the vote or anything, but you have to admit, these guys and girls are all worthy of a vote. Don't be a slacker, get out there and let your voice be heard!

Cast Your Vote for the 2009 Surfer Poll Awards 

With an epic storm fast approaching, the surfers indulged in the clean, fast, heavy waves of this second day of competition at the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series (WQS) 4-Star O'Neill Cold Water Classic South Africa.

Back at Misty Cliffs, with a cleaner but similar size swell to yesterday, it was the 16-year-old Hawaiian surfer John John Florence who had the crowds gathered on the cliffs above cheering loudly as he got a barrel on almost every wave he took off on.

His final ride, as he tucked into his last barrel of the day, earned him the highest wave score of the competition so far - a 9.6.

"It was good out there today," Florence said. "I was battling against Hedgy and saw this big wave come in at the end and just went for it."

David Vlug (Narrabeen, NSW) claimed the opening qualifier Red Bull Junior Surf Masters event of 2009 today, with a commanding performance at Curl Curl.

After a boom inaugural year in 2008, the Red Bull Junior Surf Masters heralded it's return, back and bigger than ever, with some cracking performances by the Northern Beaches best.

Endorsed by 2007 ASP World Tour Champion Mick Fanning, today it was Vlug who took the spoils of victory.

"I'm so stoked with the win," Vlug said after reveling in the tricky conditions.

Highlighted by rain squalls, heavy gusts and on-shore winds, the day resembled a nightmare on land, but with the best juniors on the Northern Beaches tearing the shifting peaks apart, the crowd was treated to some blistering action in the water.

WHAT: Grab your surfboards, wax and wetsuits and paddle out in celebration of International Surfing Day's five-year anniversary. Founded by the Surfrider Foundation and Surfing Magazine, International Surfing Day unites surfers from around the world in celebration of the sport of surfing, and encourages all ocean lovers to give back by participating in local Surfrider Foundation chapter events.

In addition to giving back ISD participants have the opportunity to compete in a variety of on-site challenges and win prizes from: Electric, Ocean Minded, Matix, DVS, O'Neill, Reef, Sector Nine, Globe, Vans, Body Glove, Patagonia, Billabong, Quiksilver, Rip Curl, Ecousable, Western Federal Credit Union and DaKine. The complete list of challenges can be found at www.intlsurfingday.com.

WHO: Surfrider Foundation members, volunteers and activists, surfers, and anyone who loves the ocean.

WHEN: Saturday, June 20, 2009

WHERE: This year, International Surfing Day boasts over 100 participants, including all 70 Surfrider Foundation chapters throughout the United States. For a complete list of events, go to www.intlsurfingday.com.

The Red Bull Surf crew just returned from a ridiculously successful boat trip through Indonesia's Mentawai Islands, and guess what, they absolutely scored! In the words of Mick Fanning, "It just kept getting better and better everyday we were there. It was one of the best trips of my life."

That being said, thanks to the brilliance of Jordy, Julian, Mick, Michel and the rest of the squad, we've got a healthy dose of high-action video for you. Check the Video page to scope it all.



And if you like reading, we also have a complete, blow-by-blow report from the trip. You can read the in-depth feature right here.

Finally, stay tuned next week as we break the images from the trip down into unique, performance-oriented galleries. We've got a new one going live every day next week, so don't miss it.

Peep The Photos

For Jamie Sterling cross training is a major part of his big wave career.  Sterls has always been keen to try different training activities in order to stay in the best shape possible for riding huge waves.  This winter on the North Shore, with the waves being unusually small and windy, Jamie decided to try something completely new and different; Polo.  "I had the opportunity to go and try it and ended up having a great time." Jamie says.  "It's one of the most challenging things I've ever done.  Being high up on a horse and feeling all the power and speed really gets your adrenaline going."  Sterls continues.  "And surprisingly it's a really good workout too.  Your legs really feel it!"

Gypset Style, a beautiful book by world-renowned travel and fashion editor Julia Chaplin, illustrates the Gypsy and Jetset travels and the cultural foraging at home with the global references and chic speed of the jet-set mixed with the alternative, anti-commercialism and the nomadic wile of a gypsy.

Sofia Mulanovich and her family are featured in Chaplin's tomb of international artists, designers, and bon vivants: the twenty-first century's Bright Young Things.  Gypset Style explores their unconventional lives of wanderlust and the bohemian enclaves they inhabit, as well as their counterculture forebears.  

Smiles were everywhere and the happy atmosphere that we saw in the closing ceremony shows, without a doubt, the level of happiness and thankfulness of the surfers that participated in the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Qualifying Series (WQS) 3-Star Rusty Arica Pro.

All agreed that the quality of the wave and organization of the event was one of the best. So, it was without surprise that everyone listened to Roberto Perdigao (Brazil), regional director of the ASP promising that his organization would give full support to the re-edition of this contest in the following next years in the city of eternal spring. The news was received with ovations by the massive public who assisted the final day of the event.

The top high school surfers in the country gathered this weekend in San Clemente to compete in the Red Bull Riders Cup National Championship, bringing with them ideal weather and near-perfect waves. With a powerful swell pouring through Upper Trestles at San Onofre Beach all weekend long, the teams were given the chance to test their mettle and show their skills in the premiere high school surfing competition. The eight teams - all of whom had earned their National Championship spots by dominating local rivals in Regional Championships - came from Florida, New Jersey and all up and down the Southern California coast. The competition was fierce from the get-go, but in the end it came down to a grudge match between Mira Costa High and San Dieguito Academy that could only be settled in overtime. When all was said and done, Mira Costa High School took the win and with it the bragging rights as 2009 Red Bull Riders Cup National Champions.

Check out the photos

Well folks, day one of the Red Bull Riders Cup National Championships is in the books, and with absolutely flawless conditions all day, the action didn't disappoint. The Quarterfinal rounds of the Red Bull Riders Cup took place today at Upper Trestles at San Onofre Beach.  The event brought together eight of the best high school surfing teams in the nation to compete for bragging rights and the title of Red Bull Riders Cup National Champion.  All eight teams had previously won Regional Championships to earn their spot in the National Championship.  The victors will be back tomorrow for the Semi-Finals and Finals.

TOMORROW'S SCHEDULE:
8:00am-10:00am        Semi-Final #1 Mira Costa High vs. Newport Harbor High
10:30am-12:30pm      Semi-Final #2 Malibu High vs. San Dieguito Academy
2:00pm-3:45pm          Final
4:00pm- 4:30pm         Awards ceremony

So, you think Bruce Irons has officially stepped away from competitive surfing? Well, this is your chance to put the man back in a jersey...and throw him in the lineup at the U.S. Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach. All you have to do is vote for Bruce to be in the Hurley All Star Event this July. It's so easy you'd be a fool not to. All you have to do is go to WorldProSurfers.com and vote. Once you have the page open use the scroll bar on the right of the surfer's names to scroll down to Bruce's name and put the man back into comp mode. Kelly Slater, Mick Fanning, CJ Hobgood, and Andy Irons have already locked in their spot, but there's still slots open to six more surfers...make Bruce one of them.

Mick and the Red Bull surf team including Julian Wilson, Sally Fitzgibbon and crew are moving through the Mentawai Islands right now scoring big time. "The first couple of days have been epic. " Writes Mick, via SMS. "We scored four foot HTs and had a couple of bombs at Green Bush. Everyone's been getting so shacked! The swell is gonna be kicking again over the next couple of days so we're gonna collect some epic shots and footage." You'll be able to see video and images from the trip in the next couple of weeks here on RedBullSurfing.com and on MickFanning.com.

1. Nickname: Brucey [but if you want to piss him off call him Pierre].

2. First time on a board: I was really young, maybe 5, out in front of my parents house standing up on my bodyboard. It all kind of snowballed from there when my dad got my brother and I surfboards.

3. Why surf? Because you get the feeling nothing else matters. It's nice sometimes to just surf to get away from everything.

4. When you're not surfing you're... I like to go fishing and I make my own fishing lures to catch the fish. I love golf, and I like racing anything with a motor.

5. Best and worst of you're surfing: I'm happy in big, challenging waves, but small, bad waves ruin me because they just aren't really too fun.